Islamic New Year

07 Dec 2012 - 08 Dec 2012
Place: Maldives

New Year celebrations according to the Islamic faith is based mostly on different tenets of the holy book of 'Quran'. Women folk of the house gather grains of wheat and place them in small buckets, so by the time New Year arrives these grains of wheat develop stems, which indicate the arrival of the bountiful season of Spring. Islamic New Year tradition is mostly on the lines of spiritual oneness with Allah, the mighty lord. Young and aged Muslim fellows gather together at the different 'Idgahs' where people offer 'namaz' and special prayers are held for prosperous and happy days ahead.

A major attribute of the Islamic new-year custom is the conventional ritual of pilgrimage to the holy place of 'Mecca' in Saudi Arabia where Prophet Muhammad was born. During the Islamic New Year festival, various multicultural events are planned at every nook and corner of the villages, towns and smaller cities where natives of Muslim inhabitants assemble in large numbers to witness the events.

People also pay visit to their friends and relatives and fasting and feasting becomes the order of the day where guests are entertained with variety of delicious and appetizing dishes. Community gatherings are held where Islamic religious discussions are organized by inviting special guests and honoring those with awards for their various efforts at social upliftment of the human society.